Valve



Patented Dec. 29, 1936 PATENT OFFICE VALVE Eldon S. Clark, Detroit, Mich., assignor to. Timken-Michigan Company, Detroit, Mich., a cory poration of Michigan Application February 4,

l14 Claims.

This invention relates to a valve, and more particularly to a plug valve adapted for continuous and emcient operation under severe conditions of usage such as high temperatures and high pres-l sures Plug valves or stop cocks have been used for many years on flow lines wherein relatively low pressures and low temperatures are maintained.

I However, the use of this type of valve on lines wherein high pressures and temperatures are attained has been limited, since the high pressures have generally caused sticking of the tapered valve plugs and the high temperatures caused agdeterioration of the parts, and furthermore caused an unequal expansion and binding of the parts so that the valves could not be readily openedand closed. Furthermore in many installations foreign matter such as sand, grit, rust or the like. gets between the ordinary plug valve and its seat, and this foreign'inatter causes serious cutting of the valve plug and seat so that accurate and tight closing thereof soon becomes impossible.

The use of plug valves under severe operating conditions such as for gas, oil, or steam lines u wherein high temperatures and pressures are attained has been limited, due to the lackl of a practical and adequate means of lubricating `the valve operating mechanismand the valve proper. The result has been that after relatively short periods of use, the plug valves became frozen in their seats and the valves either had to be broken completely or were so seriously damaged in loosening that they were practically inoperative.

One object of this invention therefore is to provide a valve of the plug type which may be used over long periods of time under severe operating conditions such as high pressures and temperatures.

Another object of this inventionvis to provide means to positively raise the plug from its seat, prior to the turning of the valve.

Another object of this invention is to provide a plug type valve having a readily accessible means to positively raise and lower the valve from and to its seat, vwith visible means serving as a stop to limit the raising and lowering of the valve. By the use of this limiting device, the valve may only be lifted a predetermined distance from its for ready rotation, but being insuilicient to allow the entrance of dirt or grit between the plug valve and its seat. i

t Another object of this invention is to provide a 55 plug valve of the lift type embodying a packing a plug valve of the lift type which embodies novelv seat, this distance being' suicient to free the valve 1 1932, serial No. 590,936

gland which is readily accessible for adjustment in all conditions, and which may be adjusted whether the valve is open or closed. and furthermore may be repacked without jeopardizing the safety of the operator while the line is under 5 full pressure with the valve either open or closed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means for adjusting the packinggland by separate gland bolts which are atmospherically cooled at all times and which are readily accessible with- 10 out disassembling any parts.

Another object of this invention is to provide a plug valve of the lift type embodying a lubricant reservoir above thepacking gland whereby the valve stem may be adequately lubricatedto pre- 15 vent binding thereof, and wherein an effective and simple seal is provided for the lubricant chamber to prevent the entrance of grit or gases to the lubricant chamber.

A further object of the invention is to provide a 20. valve of the above described type wherein the, lifting of the valve is readily and simply accomplished' by rotation of a lift nut acting between two abutments on the valve stem, with means to lubricate the threads of the lift nut andV the bearings for the valve stem, and means to prevent the entrance of foreign matter into the screw adjustment for the lift nut.

Another object of this invention is to provide a plug valve of the screw lift type in which rotation of the plug valve is prevented until the plugis raised out of contact with its seat. Thsthere can vbe no wear 'or scoring effected in the-close .metal to metal contact between plug andfseat.

Another object of the invention is to provide a plug valve of 'the screw lift type embodying a false nut for rotating the valve from open to closed position and vice versa, and a lift nutfor raising and 'lowering the valve from its seat, the

false nut and the lift nut having the saine con- 40 figuration whereby a single operating handle or wrench may be used on both nuts.

A further object of the present invention 1s to provide a plug valve of the screw-lift type easily assembled and disassembled for inspection and 454 Figure 2 is a section taken at right angles to me 1. i

Figure 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a broken section of a modiiled form. Referring to the drawing wherein like reference characters designate like parts, the novel valve mechanism includes a valve casing I. having an open top vand having the flanged ends 2 and 3 adapted for the reception of'similar flanges 3 is'an elevation `of the valve of Figures on the interconnected pipes. It will be under- The lower end of the bearing 8 is adapted to be closed by a removable plug 3 whereby sediment may be removed from the valve casing. The pilotor lguide 1 of the valve is provided with a pressure equalizing groove I2 which extends upwardly into chamber 3 to prevent suction on the lower end of the pilot 1 when the valve is being raised from its seat. 4

At its upper end the valve i is provided with a stem I3 which extends upwardly from an enlarged base I4 where the stem andvalve join. The valve stein I3 is provided with shoulders forming abutments and has threaded and squared w portions thereon for the purposes hereinafter fully described.

The open upper end of thevalve body I is adapted to be closed by a removable bonnet Il held in position by nuts or studs I3 which are received on the ends of machine lbolts passing through the cooperating flanges of the valve body Iandbonnet I5. Thebody I hasagroove I3 around the vopening in which is positioned a gasket I3, the bonnet having a corresponding portion for entering the groove I3 to compress the gasket' I3 for an accurate seal. It will be notedv by this construction that the gasket is fully protected by the grooved body of the valve.

From Figure 3 it will be apparentv that the bonnet I5 commises an annular base or collar portion bolted to a ilange on the valve body and two upstanding arms or webs I1 joined at their l upper ends by an annular collar portion 2I. An-

.nular portion 2i is provided with an inwardly 'extending ange 22 having its upper face recessed to receive a gasket 23. Just above the ilange 22 the annular portion 2I of the bonnet is .provided with an annular chamber 24 which serves as alubricant reservoir. A grease connection or fitting 25 of well own, type com-L municates with the lubricant reservoir 24, the

iltting 25 b v voutstanding an nular flange 23 as clearly seen in Figure 1.

The valve stem I3 is provided with a shoulder 21 formed by a reduced section onthe stem, and' low friction washers such as brass washers 23 are positioned on the shoulder 21. Above the lubricant reservoir 24 the annular portion 2| of the bonnet is -internally threaded to` receive the corresponding threads of a plug elevating and lowering nut 32. The nut 32 at its lower edge is adapted to engage the washers 28 whereby rotation of the nut in one direction forces the valve accesso stem I3 and the valve l downwardly into tight engagement with its seat 4 in the valve body. It will be noted that the nut 32 closely surrounds the valvel stem I3 to provide additional support therefor and to provide a working n/t.

Above the nut 32, the valve stem I3 is provided with a threaded section 33 having a shoulder .34

at the base thereof. Thrust nut 3l is threaded v on the section 33. and anti-friction washers 33 are interposed between the lower face/gif-the' nut 33 and the .raising and lowering nut'32. The thrustnut 33 and section 33 are preferably provided with left hand threads such that the nut tends to tighten during operation of the valve'. Furtherm'ore, it will be noted that the thrust nut 35 is set down into the elevating and loweringA nut 32 so that the thrust nut is fully protected, and the arrangement is compact and yet vreadily accessible; 'I'he thrust nut prolectionssudiciently yabove the ,upper end of the elevating and lowering nut 32 and this projecting portion has flat faces such that it may be adjusted yby `a, spanner wrench. It will be noted that a clearance is provided at 31 between the upper edge of the annular section 2i of--the bonnet I3 and the inwardly projecting threaded -portion lof the raising and lowering nut 32. T

In order to prevent the valve from being raised so far from its seat that extraneous matter may get between the valve and its seat, an adjustable stop mechanmm is provided for the nut 32. This mechanism includes an adjustable stop collar 33 which is secured around the upper end of the annular portion 2| of the bonnet, and is secured in adjusted position by a set screw 33.` It will be obvious, however, that other 'means of adjusting this collar may beused. Collar 33 carries' an outwardly extending lug '42 for cooperative engagement with a downwardly extending stop pin 43 screwed into the overhaging ange of the nut 32. It will be seen from this construction that the raising and loweringk nut 32 may be given approximately one full turn for raising and lowering the valve before the stop pin 43 the stop lug 42. Thus a visual indication is provided as 'to whether the valve is raised or lowered from its seat and excessive raising and lowering is prevented.

'l'he raising and lowering nut 32 has a downwardlyextending external ange 44 which encircles the upper portion of the stop ring 33. This overhanging portion eifectively prevents the entrance of grit or other foreign matter or gases to the operating threads of the raising and lowering nut 32. The raising and lowering nut 32 has the' upstanding ilange 4l spaced from valve stem I3. which as previously described, partially encloses vthe thrust nut 3l. This portion 43 has ilat faces thereon for the receptionof a wrench for rotating the raising and lowering nut 32. Furthermore the upper face of the outstanding flange onl the nut 32 is adapted to receive designationssuch as arrows which are visible from the top of the valve to indicate the correct rotation for raising or lowering the' valve.

4The upper endl of valve stem I3 above .the threaded portion 33 is tapered as seen at 43 and this section is preferably square or angular to receive a correspondingly shaped opening in the false turning'nut 41 by which the valve is rotated from open to closed position and vice versa. The

lfalse nut 41 is retained 'in'position by a locknut 43 threaded on the end of the valve stem I3.

Preferably the external faces ofthe false turning nut 41 and the upstanding portion 43 on the v[chamber through the mung 2s and this iubriraising and lowering nut 32 are similar in con- .guration so that one wrench or handle may be used to both raise or lower the valve and open or close the same. g

It will be noted that a chamber 52 is provided -around the upper end of the valve 5 and beneath the inwardly projecting flange 53 of the bonnet. In some installations, it is desirable tolubricate the valve and its seat and adetachable lubricant fitting 5| is adapted to be threaded into the end of a passageway through the base of the bonnet I5 and communicating with the chamber 52. Lubricant may thus be inserted in the chamber 52 to` lubricate the valve and its seat, and in order to assist the passage of the lubricant the full depth of the valve 5, the seat 4 of the body I is provided with a pluralityof shallow grooves 54, extending from the chamber 52 downwardly to the chamber 6. The threaded opening in which the lubricant fitting 5I is received is also adapted to receive a pipe plug for closing this opening when lubrication of the valve on its seat is unnecessary.

As seen from Figures 2 and 3, the bonnet I5 has upstanding apertured lugs 56 diametrically opposite one another for the reception of pivot pins 51 which support the gland bolts 58. Bolts 58 are adapted to be slidably received in notches in the opposite sides of the upper iangeA 59 of the gland packingmember 6I. Thegland 6I closely surrounds the valve stem I3 and is slidable with respect thereto and is adapted to extend downwardly into an annular recess formed at the base of the bonnet I5. Within the recess is positioned the packing 62 which may be compressed by rotation of the nuts provided on the ends of the gland bolts 58. The lower edge of the packing gland 6| and the upper face of the flange 53 of the bonnet I 5 are cut angularly in order to firmly press the packing 62 against the valve stem I3. It will be noted from this construction that ready access may be had to the nuts for the gland member,'since as seen from Figure 3 the gland nuts may be tightened without disassembling any of the parts. Therefore, the packing around the valve stem may be tightened at any time and may be replaced with the valve in service. The flange 53 provides a lower bearing for valve stem I3, and it will be seen that the valve and stem are supported for rotation and reciprocation by two vertically spaced bearings, namely bearing 8, and

l bearing 53.

The upper faceof valve 5 is provided with a stop lug 64 integral therewith which cooperates with similar lugs 65 mounted on the valve bon- .net I5 and projecting downwardly into the chamber 52. 'Ihese stop lugs 64 and 65, cooperate to prevent'overturning ofthe valve and indicate the full open or closed position thereof when engaged.

The operation of the embodiment'asthus far described is as follows: It will be noted that the valve is shown in the closed position and lowered be forced into chamber 52 through the lubricant fitting 5I, and this lubricant will pass by way of Y .the grooves 54 downwardly into the lower chamber 6 and will eectively lubricate the entire length of the valve as the same is turned on its seat.

Lubricant may also be forced into the lubricant cant will be forced upwardly between the valve stem I3 and the raising and lowering nut 32, and will also passY upwardly around the threads between the raising and lowering nut 32 and the threaded portion2I of the bonnet I5. The lubricant which thus rises under pressure is received in a lubricant reservoir 61 at the top of the threads. The slight clearance between the outstanding flange of the raising and lowering nut 32 and the upper surfaces of the'bonnet member 2| and the ring 33 provide an additional wall for lubricant. This overhang of nut 32 'also effectively prevents the entrance of grit or foreign matter to well 61. The downwardly extending portion 44 on the nut 32 serves to further protect thereof. This nut therefore moves upwardly due` to itsengagement with the threads of the bonnet portion 2I and by engagement withthe low fric, tion washers 36 the nut acts against the abut-4 ment member or thrust Anut 35 to positively raise the valve stem I3 and the valve 5 from its seat 4. Rotation of the' nut 32, however, is limited by the stop members 42 and 43, and the valve may not be raised to an excessive extent sufficient -to allow the entrance of grit between the valve and its seat. The same wrench or handle which is used to raise the valve maythen be positioned on the false turning nut 41 and rotation of this member causes rotation of the stem I3 and the valve 5 to position the plug valve in the open position. The stop lugs 64 and 65 prevent turning the valve beyond the full open position. The raising and lowering nut 32 is then rotated in reverse direction, the lower end thereof engaging the shoulder 21 on thevalve stem I3 with the washers 28 therebetween to positively force the valve downwardly into firm engagement, with its seat.` The grooves 54 effectively lubricate the valve and its seat to prevent sticking thereof,

` and the groove I2 in the pilot 1' of the valve serves to equalize vthe pressure above and below present in the chamber 6.

One important practical advantage of the valve thns far described is the two point bearing for the integral valve and valve stem. It will be seen that the valve and stem are accurately guided for reciprocation and `rotation in the bearings provided between the pilot 1 and the bearing 8, and between the lower end of the stern'A I3 and the bearing flange-53. In addition to these bearings the raising and lowering nut 32 functions a`s a bearing for guiding the valve stem.

In Figure 4 thre's illustrateda slight'modification in which the upper lubricant reservoir 24 oflthe prior form is eliminated. In thisy embodiment of the invention, the lubricant fitting 25 communicates with a passage 1I through the annular portion 2I of the bonnet I5, and the raising and lowering nut 32 has a groove 12 therein. Groove 12 is slightly arcuate so that one portion thereof is always in alignment with the passageway 1I. Furthermore, in this embodirotating the valve from open to closed position is eliminated, and the upper end of thevalve stem i3 is adapted to receive a handle or wrench of any ,preferred type. The upper end of the valve stem is adapted to have indicating arrows on the surface 13 to indicate the direction for turning lthe valve to open or closed position and the visible upper surface. of theraising and lowering nut 32 also has an arrow thereon for indicating the direction to turn in raising the plug. In this form of the invention since the lubricant reservoir 24 is eliminated, the packing 23 is not necessary. v

The operation of Athis embodiment of the in,- vention is substantially as previously described. However, when lubricant is forced through the fitting 25, it passes inwardly to the arcuate slot 12 and thus directly to the stem I3 and downwardly to the lower friction washer 28. Furthermore, lubricant passes under pressure upwardly into the lubricant well 61. If found desirable vertical grooves may be provided in the raising and "lowering nut 32 adjacent the stem i3 to' allow the lubricant to eifectively lubricate the stem. Furthermore, similar grooves may be provided at the threaded portion ofthe nut 32 to lubricate this nut. However, byapplying suiicient pressure to the lubricant through the fitting 25, lubricant can generally be forced upwardly through the threads and upwardly around the stem i3 without the necessity of grooves.

As in the prior described form, the lubricant fitting 25 is effectively prevented from breakage by the outstanding flange on the bonnet construction, and the threaded engagement oi' the lift nut 32 is effectively shielded from the entrance of foreign matter. Furthermore, the flange 6i may be tightened or repacked without disturbing the valve or the lifting nut therefor.

Valves constructed in accordance with the embodiments herein illustrated are sturdy and j cally by the direct action of a simple nut acting against abutments on the valve stem. The positive action of this lifting mechanism is entirely independent of the line pressure and the lubricant pressure. The strength of the moving parts of the lifting mechanism is suiiicient to preclude any danger of breaking even under severe service conditions. For example, on a two inch valve a force of forty-five hundred pounds exerted by a fifty pound pull on an eighteen inch wrench may be used to either unseat the plug or force it into its seat without jeopardizing any part of the valve assembly.

The plug when raised due to the substantial bearing both a ve the plug and at the pilot bearing below th same is held just out of contact with its seat regardless of operating pressures. The lclearance between the plug and seat is just suiilcient to permit free rotation of the plug but is not enough to permit entrance of foreign matter between the contacting surfaces. Another important feature is that no rotation of the plugl can take place until the same is raised out of contact with its seat, and thus there is no wear4 -packed in lubricant they .are given full protection Y against the weather, gas fumes, or other atmosment of the invention the false turning nut 41 for- I pheric agents, and against the entrance of foreign matter t'o the threads. -Furthermoraf Ithe raising and lowering nut and the' operating mechanism therefor is well` removed from the valve proper and the pipe lines connected there- -to,such that high temperatures at'the valve do embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative andlnot restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and'range of y'equivalency Iofthe claims are therefore intended .to be embraced therein.

What `is claimed, and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent isz- 1. A'rotary valve of the type adapted to be raised fromv its seat before opening or closing movement thereof comprising a casing having a conical seat therein,y and an opening substantially in alignment with said seat, a valve in said casing for cooperation with said seat and having a projecting stem, a. bonnet secured over the opening in said'casing, vertically spaced collars on said bonnet surrounding said valve stem and connected by spaced webs, an externally adjustable packing gland surrounding said valve stem between said collars, abutments on saidvalve stem i.

lthe means to lubricate includes a lubricant well between the upper collar andthe lower end of said nut.

3. .The invention asdened in claim 1 wherein the means to lubricate includes a fitting` secured to said bonnet, and a protecting cup surrounding said fitting to prevent injury thereof.

4. A rotary valve of the type adapted to be raised from its seat prior to rotation thereof comprising a casing having a conical seat therein, a valve for cooperation therewith and having a stem, a bonnet on said valve casing having a bearing adjacent the inner end thereoLfor the valve stem, abutments on said valve stem, and a raising and lowering nut mounted on said stem between said abutments, said nut being threadedly engaged with the upper end of said bonnet, and having an upwardly extending flange spaced from said stem, one abutment on said stem comprising a thrust nut threaded on said stem and substantially positioned within the upwardly extending ilange on said raising and lowering nut.

5. The invention as dened in claim 4 wherein the upwardly extending ange on said raising and lowering nut has angularly arranged faces to receive a similarly shaped handle, said stem projecting beyond said thrust nut, and 'a false nut non-rotatably secured thereto and having angularly arranged faces'similar to those of the raising and lowering nut, 'whereby. one handle may be used to raise or lower the valve andturn the same. l

6. 'A rotary valve of the type adapted to be raised priorl to rotation thereof comprisingv a casing having a conical seat therein, avalve for cooperation with said seat and having a stem, a

bonnet .on said casing having vertically spaced" l l i f collars around said stem, abutments on said stem above saidcollars, a raising and lowering nut engaging said stem between said abutments, said nut being threaded into the upper end of said bonnet, and a lubricant well between said bonnet and said nut above the threaded portions thereof. 7. The invention as dened in claim 6 wherein said nut has an outwardly extending portion projecting beyond the upper end of the bonnet to protect said lubricant well. 1

8. A plug valve comprising a housing, avalve seat, a plug cooperatively mounted with relation to said valve seat, a stem and pilot for said plug, a means for rotating said plug, means for raising and lowering said plug with relation to said valve seat, said means comprising a member freely rotatable uponsaid stem and operative by such rotation to raise or lower said plug, means operably connected to said member for regulating the distance which said plug may be l seat, said means comprising a member freely rotatable upon said stem and operative by such rotation to raise or lower said plug, means operably connected to said member adjustable angularly in a plane at right angles to theaxis of said stem for regulating the distance which said' plug may be raised from its seat, and means for lubricating -said plug and its seat and said pilot.

10. A plug valve comprisinga housing, a valve seat, a plug cooperatively mounted with relation to said valve seat, a means for rotating said plug, means for raising and lowering said plug with relation to said valve seat, said means comprising a member freely rotatable upon said stem and operative by such rotation to raise or lower said plug, means operably connected to said member for regulating the distance which said plug may be raised from its seat, and means embodying longitudinal extending grooves formed in said plug and said seat and a longitudinal extending groove formed in said pilot forlubricating said plug and its seat and said pilot.

11. A plug valve comprising a housing, avalve seat, a plug cooperatively mounted with relation to said valve seat, an apertured yoke secured to said housing, a stem and pilot for said plug, said stem projecting through said yoke, means for raising and lowering said plug `with relation to said valve seat embodying a member mounted upon the upper end of said yoke freely rotatable upon said stem and operative by such rotation to raise or lower said plug, means operably connected to said 'member comprising a depending stop on saidl member and a cooperating stop member on said yoke for regulating the distance which said plug Amay be raised from its seat, and means forl lubricating said plug and its seat and said pilot.

12. A plug valve comprising a housing, a`

plug, said stem projecting through said yoke, a

means for rotating said plug, means for raising and lowering said plug with relation to said valve seat embodying a member mounted upon the y upper end of said yoke freely rotatable upon said stem and operative byA such rotation to raise or lower said plug, means operably connected to said member comprising a depending stop on said member and acooperatlng stop member on said yoke for regulating the distance which said plug may be raisedfroin its seat, and means embodying longitudinal extending grooves formed iii said plug and said `seat and a longitudinal extending groove ormed in said pilot for lubricating said plug and its seat and said pilot.`

13. A rotary valve of the type adapted to be raised prior to rotation thereof comprising a casing having a tapered seat therein, a valve for cooperation with said seat and having a stem, a bonnet on said casing having vertically-spaced collars around said valve stem, abutments on said stem., a raising and lowering nut on said stem between said abutments, said nut being'threaded into the upper end of said bonnet and a lubricant passage through said bonnet directly to the threads of said nut and bonnet, said passage communicating directlywith the space between said 

